Pre-Preseason Predictions

[*SHRacerX*]

Sun., Sept. 13: at Oakland, 4:25 p.m. - W
Sun., Sept. 20: SAN DIEGO, 1 p.m. - W
Sun., Sept. 27: at Baltimore, 1 p.m. - L
Sun., Oct. 4: KANSAS CITY, 1 p.m. - W
Sun., Oct. 11: SEATTLE, 1 p.m.* - W
Sun., Oct. 18: at Buffalo, 1 p.m.* - W
Sun., Oct. 25: (BYE WEEK)
Sun., Nov. 1: at Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.* - L
Thurs., Nov. 5: CLEVELAND, 8:25 p.m. (NFL Network) - W
Mon., Nov. 16: HOUSTON, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN) - W
Sun., Nov. 22: at Arizona, 4:05 p.m.* - L
Sun., Nov. 29: ST. LOUIS, 1 p.m.* - W
Sun., Dec. 6: at Cleveland, 1 p.m.* - W
Sun., Dec. 13: PITTSBURGH, 1 p.m.* - W
Sun., Dec. 20: at San Francisco, 8:30 p.m. (NBC)* - W
Mon., Dec. 28: at Denver, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN) - L
Sun., Jan. 3: BALTIMORE, 1 p.m.* - W

Here is why I selected those games as losses: Baltimore at home is extremely difficult. They had a great game plan last year, even though they struggled in the red zone. That would be an ultimate statement game if they could get a win there, but I am going with the odds that say the Bengals will not be favored in that one.

The second loss I have for them is at Pittsburg. This could also be a huge turnaround game for the Bengals if they could knock them off in pittsburg, but the Bengals struggle so much against the passing game of the steelers. They have to be almost perfect to outscore them and even though Pittsburg's defense is declining, I think Marvin's conservative nature will not allow the Bengals to break free on this one.

The third loss is going strictly with the stats: road teams after MNF struggle tremendously. If I remember, it is something like 30% winning percentage straight up. A decent travel after MNF will be very tough. I think the Bengals are a better team than the Cards if healthy, but this is going to prove to be a very difficult challenge on a short week.

The fourth (and final!) loss I have is the road game against Denver on MNF coming off a road game in San Fran. What I could honestly see here is a case of motivation. Even though it will likely be cold and limiting Manning to some extent, the Bengals may already be in a good position for a division title and the Broncos might be fighting for their playoff lives. I don't see Denver as having improved as much as San Diego and Kansas City. I'm looking forward to this game in a big way because I think the Bengals will have shaken their primetime curse by then and might be fired up to end Manning's Broncos shot at the playoffs. It is going to be fun to watch. I might try to make this the annual trip game and tie in some skiing.